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Original poster

Rabbit about to be PTS - DD wants to come

13 replies

LucasNorthsTwiglets · 06/03/2015 09:25

Our rabbit is probably going to be PTS tonight and DD (who is her owner) really wants to be there when it happens. DD is 12 but not overly mature. She is insistent that she wants to be there and says she will feel guilty if she isn't there but I'm not sure if she's able to think it through properly to make the right decision.

Would you let her come? I suppose I have to do what she wants and just be there for her but I'm a bit worried about it...

OP posts:
cattypussclaw · 06/03/2015 09:28

Yes, I'd let her come. My daughter came with when her pet chicken was PTS and when I thought one of our cats would have to be PTS. It's a good life lesson, learning to deal with death and grief, and also a good lesson in the tough side of pet ownership.

FiveHoursSleep · 06/03/2015 09:31

It's not nice, but it is life. I'd let her come.

Original poster
LucasNorthsTwiglets · 06/03/2015 09:32

Thanks, cattypuss. I'd read something that said most vets were strongly against children being there but I suppose that's for much younger children (7yo DS definitely won't be coming).

The other issue I have is that she desperately wants it to be done tomorrow instead of today, because she says she'll feel really guilty if she was at school on bunny's last day and didn't spend as much time with her as possible. But leaving it until tomorrow is surely just going to prolong it and she'll spend tomorrow thinking "in 2 hour's time.... in 1 hour's time..." etc.

OP posts:
TranquilityofSolitude · 06/03/2015 09:34

Perhaps you could explain that it's not really about what she wants, but about what's best for bunny?

FernieB · 06/03/2015 09:37

If she really wants to be there, let her be there. She's more likely to be upset at not being allowed to go, than to regret going.

I was there at the age of 8 for one of my bunnies and it was fine. I've since been there for another bunny when it was PTS and Gas one die in my arms. You never regret it.

Just prepare her and let her know what happens. It really is very peaceful and quite quick. They just go to sleep. She can stay stroking the bun the whole time. The vets will be used to people being upset, so it won't matter at all if she cries. (I was in bits at 18 with one bun).

Have you decided what to do with the body? It sounds awful but it is good to decide in advance so you don't have to a quick decision at the time. You could take bunny home for burial or leave it for the vet to cremate. Can your DD also make that decision? One factor in that decision could be that with home burial you have to dig deep enough to avoid foxes digging it up again. Again, sorry to be so macabre but it's as well to have these decisions made first.

So sorry that your rabbit is in this situation, but I'm sure you are doing the kindest thing. Hope everything goes well today ThanksThanksThanksThanks

Original poster
LucasNorthsTwiglets · 06/03/2015 09:37

I have said that to her - that it might be cruel to keep her alive longer - but she's so distraught about it happening on a school day (she has issues with school anyway and I don't want to give her any more reasons to be negative about it).

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Original poster
LucasNorthsTwiglets · 06/03/2015 09:41

Sorry, keep crossing posts with people! Thanks for all your replies.

Fernie, what to do with bunny afterwards is another issue! I'd rather let the vet cremate her and then we sprinkle her ashes somewhere in the garden (I think it will be ultimately comforting for DD and I also dont want to have to bury it!) but DD doesn't want that. I also read yesterday that burying pets in your garden is against the law?!

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Original poster
LucasNorthsTwiglets · 06/03/2015 09:42

Also, thanks so much for your reassurance about her being there, Fernie!

I was thinking that she is more likely to regret NOT being there than being there so I was leaning towards taking her. I definitely will now - thanks all.

OP posts:
FernieB · 06/03/2015 09:44

Can you explain to her about foxes? Then tell her that bunny's ashes can be sprinkled around her favourite plant, or used to feed a new plant that you could put in the garden in her memory.

FernieB · 06/03/2015 09:45

Also, I would go today. Once you've made that decision, it's better to do it quickly. And I'm sure she wouldn't want her rabbit to be in pain any longer than necessary.

Original poster
LucasNorthsTwiglets · 06/03/2015 12:52

Phoned the vet and if they have to do it if will be tonight as they are fully-booked tommorrow anyway. So now I'm worrying about what to tell DS who is 7yo and a very sensitive little thing. He's definitely not coming with me (I don't think it will help him) so do I tell him what's going to happen, so that he can say goodbye? Or do I not say anything beforehand and just say "I'm afraid whilst we were at the vets, the rabbit died" ? Whilst DD understand PTS, I think DS is too young to get it and he will just think "you killed her". He's not really attached to the rabbit, if that makes a difference.

OP posts:
FernieB · 07/03/2015 07:16

How did it go?

Original poster
LucasNorthsTwiglets · 08/03/2015 20:12

It did have to be done on Friday - poor DD was distraught but I think she will be ok. Urgh, this is why I don't like having pets! Thanks for your help Flowers

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